Followers

Comments

Recent Events on HI Dept of Health

The state health department’s Public Health Preparedness Branch holds an Ebola Response Planning Tabletop Exercise for federal, state and local agencies and partners. In the mock scenario, a healthcare worker, after traveling to West Africa, returns to Hawaii and develops symptoms of Ebola virus. Participants discuss the notification protocols, transport to an Oahu hospital, and safe handling of waste materials.

Disease investigators, epidemiologists and infection-control experts with the Hawaii Dept. of Health train in using “personal protective equipment” (PPE) against the Ebola virus. The first responders drill in donning (putting on) and doffing (removing) the gear while adhering to standard, contact, and droplet precautions – necessary when responding to a possible case.

The State Laboratories Division of the Hawaii Department of Health gains the capability to test for the Ebola virus. “Our state is so fortunate to have a public health laboratory with a talented and flexible workforce that can respond quickly to community needs,” says (former) Health Director Dr. Linda Rosen.

Iselle, a Category 4 hurricane with 140-mph winds, heads straight for Hawaii, with Tropical Storm Julio and Tropical Depression Genevieve also forming nearby. The state health department and other agencies prepare for a possible direct hit(s). Iselle is downgraded to Tropical Storm status and veers south of Hawaii, but not before causing significant damage in Puna, Big Island.

The state health department issues a CDC Health Advisory on Ebola Virus Disease. Across Hawaii, the department begins allocating significant staff and resources for Ebola preparedness to 1) strengthen partnerships with agencies and stakeholders; 2) provide factual info to healthcare providers and the public; and 3) review plans and protocols.

RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise, has Hawaii Department of Health PHASTeams participating. In a public health emergency, PHASTeams would be dispatched to the disaster site to quickly gather data on behavioral health, epidemiological, environmental, and other public health concerns.

An underground lava flow emerges in Puna, Big Island, in a path toward the Kaohe Homesteads and Pahoa Marketplace. Eleven miles long and initially moving 900 feet per day, the lava ignites a home on Nov. 10, 2014, 11:55 a.m. The state health department advises medically-dependent residents to move outside of areas cut off by the flow. Pres. Obama ok’s federal disaster aid.

Some 22,000 medical procedures are provided free to 9,000+ Kauai residents during Tropic Care Kauai. The Pentagon/U.S. Army’s two-week program brings together 280+ medical personnel from all military branches. The mission’s goal is to practice rapid overseas mobilization and provide dental, optometric, and medical services in volume to a medically underserved area.

The state health department’s Public Health Preparedness Branch coordinates staff from across the department for participation in Makani Pahili, a statewide hurricane exercise. The 3-day Functional Exercise will help department staff respond to public health issues during a catastrophic disaster.

Health officials confirm a second case of measles on Oahu and continue to work closely with healthcare providers and CDC Honolulu Quarantine Station to identify and notify persons who may have been exposed. Everyone is asked to check their immunization status and contact their healthcare provider if they need to be vaccinated. Fortunately, no additional cases of measles are identified. Photo courtesy of CDC.

The health department investigates a cases of measles on Oʿahu. Measles is highly contagious and “will infect 90 percent of the contacts who are not immune,” says Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. An infant who contracted the disease in the Philippines was infectious during travel back to Honolulu and doctor visits. The infant was hospitalized and recovered. Photo courtesy of CDC.

Hawaiʿi is the healthiest state in the nation!, according to the 2013 America’s Health Rankings. “Hawai’i’s number one ranking is encouraging and reminds us how fortunate we are to live in the Aloha State,” says Health Director Loretta Fuddy. Hawaiʿi has ranked among the report’s top five healthiest states since 2003. Photo courtesy of CDC.

The state health department investigates an outbreak of sudden liver failure in persons who used OxyELITE Pro, a dietary supplement for weight loss and muscle gain. DOH, working with the CDC and FDA, soon issues an embargo of all OxyELITE Pro formulations to retailers.
Photo by DOH.

The state health department closes beaches in Keehi Lagoon after 1,400 tons of molasses spill into Honolulu Harbor from a Matson pipeline. DOH advises the public not to consume dead fish in the area and posts warning signs at beaches of the increased risk of sharks, barracuda and other predators, as well as growth in harmful bacteria.
Photo by DOH.

Tropical Storm Flossie forms July 24, 2013, west-southwest of Mexico's Baja California. It zigzags west and north, directly toward Hawaii, where it is predicted to impact Maui, then Oahu, on July 29. Tropical storm warnings go into effect and emergency crews brace for flooding and other damage. Although Flossie weakens to a tropical depression and misses Hawaii by 65 miles, it still packs enough power to bring down electrical lines on Maui, Molokai and the Big Island.
Photo/Image provided courtesy of the Naval Research Laboratory Monterey.

The state health department publishes its first-ever report on healthcare-associated infections (HAI). According to the CDC, hospital patients in the U.S. get nearly 2 million infections each year in the hospital. Data shows that Hawaii facilities have considerably lower numbers of infections compared with national data, but the goal remains to eliminate HAIs.
Logo courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.

The state health department monitors an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Most cases are in the Middle East; additional cases in Europe originate in travel to the Middle East. Of the 64 persons infected at this point, 38 deaths result. No U.S. cases are reported. The department encourages health care workers to continue surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state health department investigates three cases of hepatitis A infection, two on Oahu and one on Kauai, as part of a multi-state outbreak. All sickened individuals had consumed Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend, a frozen berry product distributed by Costco. The product is voluntarily recalled, and Costco contacts all customers who purchased the product.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state health department joins other government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private-sector participants for a hurricane preparedness exercise. The annual Makani Pahili is held statewide at the end of May or early June to coincide with the beginning of hurricane season. It is led by Hawaii State Civil Defense.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Army Weekly.

The Hawaii State Department of Health works with state, federal and local agencies to closely monitor a novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus detected in 16 people in China. No cases of H7N9 are reported in the United States, however, international travel to Hawaii is a concern. The department issues a medical advisory to health care providers and information to the public.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Trick-or-treaters are put on tsunami warning after a 7.7 earthquake near Vancouver, Canada. Across the state of Hawaii, residents evacuate to higher ground and tourists move to higher hotel floors. On Kauai, three evacuation centers fill to capacity. Fortunately, the highest surges reach only five feet and damages are minimal. "We're very, very grateful that we can go home tonight counting our blessings," says Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

The state health department’s disease surveillance network detects a single case of H3N2v infection on Maui. The variant form of influenza occurs mostly among persons who work closely with pigs. The department investigates the source of infection and advises people to practice good hygiene and see their healthcare provider if they develop flu-like symptoms.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state health department’s disease surveillance network detects a single case of H3N2v infection on Maui. The variant form of influenza occurs mostly among persons who work closely with pigs. The department investigates the source of infection and advises people to practice good hygiene and see their healthcare provider if they develop flu-like symptoms.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A mosquito which has not been seen on O‘ahu since 1949 is found at the Honolulu International Airport. The Aedes aegypti mosquito can rapidly spread diseases such as dengue and yellow fever. Eight out of 20 mosquitos collected from a trap at the airport are identified as the aegypti mosquito. Collection from the Honolulu airport is the only mosquito surveillance performed on O‘ahu. The state health department asks the public to be vigilant and take action to reduce the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
Photo by the CDC
Photo Credit: James Gathany

Heavy rains, landslides, and flooding cause safety concerns as residents begin to cleanup. The state health department releases information through the media and its website informing the public to be cautious while working near freshwater and storm debris to prevent cuts and wounds.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces that Sarah Y. Park, M.D., the state health department’s epidemiologist and Disease Outbreak and Control Division’s chief, has been appointed to the National Biodefense Science Board. The board is a federal advisory committee that provides expert advice and guidance to the HHS Secretary and the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in preventing, preparing for, and responding to adverse health effects of public health emergencies.

In partnership with the Department of Education and private schools, the state health department’s Disease Outbreak Control Division releases flu prevention videos through a popular social media channel, YouTube. The videos feature grade school students dramatizing various facts about influenza virus and how to prevent illness and stay healthy.

Entering its fifth year, reduced federal funding threatens continuation of the successful school-based flu vaccination program, the only such statewide program in the nation. However, an innovative public-private partnership between DOH and the Hawai‘i Association of Health Plans forms to keep the program in place for another year.

DOH continues strengthening its Public Health Preparedness Program with receipt of a federal award from the CDC. This funding supports laboratory testing, disease surveillance and investigation, enhanced infrastructure, public information and warning, community preparedness, and other emergency preparedness activities such as training and exercises.
The program releases a 10-year summary report outlining its accomplishments and challenges over the past decade.
Photo by Department of Health

More than 70 volunteers mobilized by the state health department turn out to support “The Great Hawai‘i Mosquito Swat Day,” declared by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Teams of volunteers canvas neighborhoods to teach residents how to safely rid their homes of mosquito breeding areas and “fight the bite.”
Photo by Department of Health

The state health department confirms two cases and two suspected cases of dengue fever. All four cases are related and in each case individuals were infected by mosquitoes near their homes. The Department of Health responds by conducting additional testing, surveying, implementing a mosquito control plan for the infested areas, and encouraging communities to clean up mosquito breeding areas.
Photo by Department of Health

The devastating Tōhoku earthquake and ensuing tsunami also cause the worse nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986. Explosions, radioactive gas leaks, and partial meltdowns of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station worry the population of Japan as well as countries around the world. Amid growing public health concerns, DOH in partnership with the EPA conducts additional air monitoring for increased levels of radiation. Radiation readings and air samples remain at normal levels. The state health department continues to actively monitor the situation and keeps the public informed via its website and the media.
Photo Description: Japan earthquake and tsunami destruction
Photo by NOAA National Geophysical Data Center
Photo Credit: Shunichi Koshimura

The CDC and the DOH hold a training session for county, state, and hospital public information officers to hone emergency messaging skills in the event of a mass antibiotic dispensing of Strategic National Stockpile medications.
Photo by CDC

Ten illnesses are confirmed due to salmonella Paratyphi B infection from eating previously frozen internationally imported raw ahi. The cases were the same as some identified in 2007 and 2008, and stem from eating raw, imported frozen ahi.
Photo by state Department of Health State Laboratory

Representatives from Pacific island nations join the department and the Hawai‘i Medical Reserve Corps at a training conference addressing the professional development of volunteers for medical and public health surge capacity.

The state laboratory partners with the Pacific Island Health Officers Association to provide influenza testing for the U.S. affiliated Pacific islands (Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau). Under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DOH provides testing support to the U.S. affiliated Pacific islands.
Photo by state Department of Health State Laboratory

In response to the H1N1 pandemic of 2009, 329 elementary and middle schools participate in a second vaccination clinic statewide to dispense H1N1 vaccine. More than 55,000 students and 10,000 faculty and staff take advantage of the H1N1 vaccine program.
Photo by state Department of Health

The DOH confirms the deaths of two more adult males from H1N1. Both have underlying medical conditions. Influenza activity is increasing and is at high levels, a pattern that is being seen on the mainland. About a half dozen people have died from H1N1. Nationwide, more than 300 people have died from the pandemic flu.
Photo by state Department of Health State Laboratory

The DOH confirms the first death, reported by Tripler Army Medical Center, caused by the H1N1 pandemic flu virus and an underlying medical condition. Cases of H1N1 are being reported on each of the main Hawaiian Islands, with the bulk of them on O‘ahu. At this point, 545 confirmed cases of H1N1 are reported.
Photo by CDC

The DOH holds a large-scale emergency response exercise at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa that includes volunteers who help test the department's ability to provide mass prophylaxis in response to a simulated bioterrorism attack.
Photo by state Department of Health

Public input is sought for how the department should prioritize the distribution of limited supplies of vaccine in the event of a pandemic. The meetings are part of the department's public engagement project on pandemic influenza funded by the CDC.
Photo by state Department of Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants $1.3 million to the department for influenza pandemic preparedness. The state institutes a counter measure and state immunization information system and a public engagement demonstration project. Additional activities include distribution and dispensing of antiviral drugs to self-isolated people and for the electronic laboratory data exchange.
Photo by state Department of Health

The DOH and the Hawai‘i Air National Guard jointly hold the Medical Innovative Readiness Training program to test local community health needs. Called E Malama Kakou, the exercise is tailored to specific community needs.
Photo by 193rd Special Operations Wing

Hospital workers from around the state participate in the DOH and Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i's emergency preparedness exercise―testing the ability to distribute medication to hospital workers in the event of an anthrax attack.
Photo by Healthcare Association of Hawaii

The DOH public health preparedness efforts are profiled in a CDC report. From 2002-2007, the department received more than $43 million in public health emergency preparedness cooperative agreement funds.

The state Department of Health's Stop Flu at School program begins. This free, voluntary school vaccination program is available to students statewide from kindergarten through eighth grade. Roughly, 70,000 children, faculty, and staff sign up each year at their respective schools for a free flu vaccination.
Photo by the Office of the Governor